Method and apparatus for assorting timber



p 6 v. SCHAUBERGER 1,775,871

IEI'HQD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSORTING HUBER F1104 Fob. 24. 1927 Patented Sept. 16, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSORTIN'G TIMBER Application filed February 24, 1927, Serial No. 170,609, and in Jugoslavia January 19, 1927.

This invention relates to an improved method of and arrangement for sorting and discharging separated different kinds of timber, such as long-tailed timber, log timber, billet-wood, etc.

The simultaneous floating of different kinds of timber, presents difiioult-ies, because eachkind' moves with different speed and the slow'moving short wood is overtaken by the faster floating log-timber, particularly at the curves, and therefore a sorting of the timber is carried out at the outlet of the retaining basin.

The method of separating the different kinds of timber is based on the fact, that the pieces of wood of different thickness are submerged in the water to different depth and therefore by draining ofl the topmost waterlayer only, at first the smaller billet-woods,

' floating on the surface, are set into motion,

While the log-timber and long-tailed timber which float deeper 1n the water can float oil only 1n case the overflow is made to a greater depth. Thus by a suitable adjustment of an 1 overflow-door the different kinds of timber are sucked into a short channel which preferably 1s arranged in communication wlth a retaining or collecting basin. Timber, floating at a greater depth, is prevented from small pieces are discharged into a wet-chute which lies at a proper depth opposite the floor of the channel, while after a further lowering of the overflow-door the log-timber is discharged into a higher timber-chute by 7 reason of the greater speed of the water.

The short channel is provided with longitudinal ribs, in order to prevent a rotation or eddying' of the water in this part. The outflowing water passes into a discharge-pit, which is provided with a grate for catching the billet-wood and for guiding the latter into the chute. In this manner the billet-wood and log-timber pass in a wet condition into the dry chute, whereby the sliding capacity of the Wood is increased by about 8% and consequently the slope of the chutes can be decreased considerably. The dropping water may be employed for driving mechanical means as will be described hereinafter. However as a rule the valuable long-tailed timber cannot be conveyed on the chutes con- 00 structed for log-timber in consequence of their curvatures, and therefore it is of advantage to separate the long-tailed timber and convey it in another manner. According to the present invention this is accomplished in the following manner A supporting device, for instance a Wirerope or rail, which follows the direction of flow of the water, is arranged in a suitable height (about seven feet) over the upper water-level above the short channel. Overhead cranes provided with chains or grippers, are arranged on this supporting device. After the long-tailed timber has been sucked into the short channel similar to the log-tim- 7 ber, the overflow door is raised, whereby the oncoming wood is stopped immediately and the long tailed timber is disposed exactly underneath the supporting device. If the water rises further, the long-tailed timber is also raised until it can be readily attached to the supporting device by means of chains or grippers. If the overflow door is again lowered the water flows off faster in consequence of the gradient thus formed, the timber 8 hanging on the supporting device is taken along and now freely floats, also at a slight gradient, with the speed imparted by the water, until it is deposited either at the place of destination or at a place, from which it is conveyed by vehicles or a Waterway, adapted for long-tailed timber.

A sorting device arranged at a retaining basin is illustrated in cross section by way of example on the accompanying drawings.

A slightly inclined channel 42 (about 0,5:1000) is in communication with the retaining basin 41 for receiving the different kinds of timber, which come down from the diflerent sides or are supplied upon chutes.

, 1 trated) may be provided in order topromote the buoyancy and effect an automatic closing of the door; Rollers 46 are arranged Y on the doorior-in the slot in orderto facilitate the movementofthe d0or.- One end of a rope 47 is secured to the bottom end of the door 44 and passes over pulleys 48 and 49;" By means of a lever 50 ,"atta 'ched to the pulley 49, the door 44 may be readily and comfortably operated from the working stand 43. The graduations I, II and III of .located in front of the door-44 or slot 45,

a dial correspond to the dischargeparabolas I, II and III. A water-discharge channel5l,

is suiiiciently wide to allow thewater to flow off even in case the door 44 is fully opened.

The chute 52 fOrtheIOg-timber is connected tothechannel 51 slightly below the floor of the channel 42. The cliute58 for the billet-Woodliesbelow the chute52, the wood passing over an inclined'fgrating 54, which traverses the channel'51fA supporting rope 55 is arranged above the channel 42 and carries cable grippers 56, which arejprovided with chains, 57 ford securingtheltimber.

ed thereto, and an adjustable door for the I outlet of said channel and chutes arranged at difi'erent levels at the overflow side of said door.

7 4.;In' a device in combination therewith, a mechanical device for conveying said timbers arranged above said channel and means on theco'nveying deviceifor attaching said conveying device to said timbers.

5-. A- method of, separating her in liquid and inducing a flow'of the upper strata of the liquid to move the timber at a rate dependent upon the extent of im mersion of the timber in the liquid and-Ito selectively dischargesaid timber through a as claimed in claim 3 and timber, of vary- 7' ing thickness,consisting in floating th ti L dischargechannel in'accordance with the 7 thickness of "the timber. i a

'6. A method in accordance with claim 5 in a which the timber is discharged into separate channels in accordance with its "dimensions;

In testimony whereof I afiix my-signature.

' vinroiaSQHAUBEV GI J The workman standing on the platform 43, 1

controls thelevel of thelwaterjin' the channel 42 according to the thickness of the "timber passing through the latter atl'the time by raising or lowering the door 44 bymeans of thelever 50. If a log -timber entersthechan nel 42, the workman lowers the door44 in I such a way,qthat thelog-timber is discharged onto the chute 52. In'the case of billet- I wood the door 44 is-loweredto such an extent, that the same is discharged onto the chute 53, while the small pieces of wood are I discharged; through the .7 channel 51 by oper ating the door in such a way, that the said wood follows bola I. I

1. In a device for separating diiferent the way of the 'disch mi kinds of timber and in combination with a I storagelbasln, a channel lead ng therefrom of an adjustable spill-way door for said channel and a mechamcalconveying device ar ranged-over said channeland means on sa d 1 conveying device for attachment thereof to ed thereto, and an adjustable overflow doorsaid timbers. a 1

2. In adevice .for separating difiere'nt kinds oftimber and in combination with a storage basin therefor, of a channel connectcontrolling theoutlet of said channel.

3. In a, device, for separating difierent 7 kinds of timber, and in combination with a. I

storage basin therefor, of a channel connect-i 

